When you’re crossing a bridge, it is very difficult to avoid coming into contact with others. I found myself on a trail recently where I had to cross a bridge and thought about turning around when I encountered a group. There was worry about my dog who hasn’t been around other dogs in a long time and has some anxiety. I was anticipating his reaction and played out a whole scenario in my mind. It didn’t happen, my dog happily sniffed the other dog, we exchanged greetings with the group and continued our walk.
I didn’t really know what was going to happen on that bridge, but I had already thought up an outcome. Sometimes we arrive at a destination without stopping to consider the path that got us there. This happens faster when we have those automatic thoughts. I remember walking faster on that walk and slowing down after hearing someone say that at the end of the trail one could turn around and walk back around in the other direction. It was suggested that something might be missed.
Sometimes we miss things when we jump to conclusions about the outcome of an event. When our focus is the outcome, we tend to see everything on the path through the lens of that outcome. But, if you can stay in the moment, focused on the path, rather than the destination, you may find yourself arriving at a destination you had not expected. My dog was able to make a friend on that bridge and we did not walk around the path in the other direction.
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About Jackie:
Jackie is a Resident in Counseling providing counseling services in our Alexandria location. Jackie earned an M.S.Ed. from Old Dominion University in Mental Health Counseling and has training in art therapy. In addition to her counseling background, Jackie also has a degree in the arts with an MA in Art History from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Jackie is a humanistic counselor who provides person-centered counseling in both English and Spanish. To learn more about Jackie, visit HERE.
